Nico Rosberg increased his lead in the drivers’ championship when he returned to winning ways with a smoothly comfortable lights-to-flag victory for Mercedes in yesterday’s European Grand Prix
Azerbaijan: Nico Rosberg increased his lead in the drivers’ championship when he returned to winning ways with a smoothly comfortable lights-to-flag victory for Mercedes in yesterday’s European Grand Prix.
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Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg celebrates his European GP win in Baku, Azerbaijan yesterday. Pic/AFP
The 30-year-old German, who had seen his advantage cut to nine points after three poor races, came home comfortably clear of second-placed compatriot Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari.
His Mercedes teammate and defending champion Lewis Hamilton came home a frustrated fifth after a race dogged by technical problems on the tricky new Baku street circuit as Azerbaijan hosted its maiden Formula One race.
After two successive wins had lifted him back into contention for a fourth title, Hamilton slipped back to 24 points behind Rosberg whose return to form brought him a 19th career victory.
Vettel takes advantage
Four-time champion Vettel took full advantage of an off-form day for Red Bull and drove steadily to finish ahead of Sergio Perez of Force India who passed Kimi Raikkonen in the second Ferrari on the final lap.
Valtteri Bottas finished sixth for Williams ahead of Daniel Ricciardo and his Red Bull team-mate, Dutch teenager Max Verstappen with Nico Hulkenberg ninth for Force India and Felipe Massa 10th in the second Williams.
Rosberg now has 141 points in the title race and Hamilton 117. “This weekend went perfectly for me, an awesome day,” said Rosberg. “An incredible circuit,” said Vettel.
“High speed corners and very close — and for us, a great recovery and now I’ve had two second places in a row. Ferrari are coming along strong now in the races.”
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